December 2025
It’s been a while in the making, but this week the Government published the long awaited revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). This plan is the Government’s roadmap to restoring our natural world, and to meeting the targets set out in the Environment Act.
The previous Environmental Improvement Plan was not up to the task. It did set an important tone, recognising the scale of the nature and climate crises and establishing ambitious long-term targets. But in 2024, under the previous government, we brought a legal challenge to prompt a formal review of the plan. The Office for Environmental Protection had reported that the Government was largely off track in reaching the targets and the EIP at the time was too vague and lacking in the clear actions needed to drive real-world delivery at the necessary pace and scale.
The current Government promised a rapid review of the EIP, and following that review, announced a revision of the EIP to address areas the review identified could be improved. On Monday, that plan was published.
It is an improvement. It is a more prioritised document, with clearer responsibility for delivering key actions.
And it contains some new policies: permitting proposals for intensive dairy and beef farms, nature positive pathways for business, a new PFAS action plan and a commitment to 250,000 hectare priority habitat by 2030. But in other places, commitments have been weakened and cans have been kicked down the road, with ambition in reduction in harmful chemicals entering the environment reduced, the access green paper seemingly delayed and no clear timetable on water reforms. Many of the new policies are for plans or consultations. What we need instead is urgent action and delivery on the ground to drive change.
It is welcome that the new EIP makes an attempt to move from being a wholly Defra owned plan, with nods to cross-Government ownership, and the health and economic impacts of the loss of nature. But it was published with little fanfare from outside of Defra. Previous plans have had a foreword written by the Prime Minister or have been launched by the Prime Minister themselves. This one was launched at the same time as a speech by the current Prime Minister targeting "fundamentally misguided environmental regulations". The mood music from this Government is not of one that sees this as a critical delivery plan.
Last week, The Nature Emergency briefing saw experts briefing politicians, journalists, business leaders and NGOs about the scale of the nature and climate crises. A clarion call for action with some stark warnings if we fail to rise to the challenge. This plan should be the roadmap to do just that, and whilst there are improvements to grab onto, it still doesn’t feel like the Government has grasped the scale of the problem. Until people see wildlife-restoration and pollution-reduction at scale and pace on every farm, every landscape and blue space and in every community, a plan alone – however well-conceived – will not be enough. It is time for action.
The opinions expressed in this blog are the authors' and not necessarily those of the wider Link membership.
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